Italian brand sets sights on its inaugural EV on the way to becoming an all-electric auto brand in 2027
Fresh from revealing its first electrified model and its first compact SU, Alfa Romeo has confirmed its first battery-electric vehicle will debut in 2024 as part of its transition to becoming a dedicated EV manufacturer by 2027.
The announcement was made by Alfa’s head of product planning Daniel Guzzafame at the global debut of the 2022 Alfa Romeo Tonale (pictured), an all-new small SUV that heralds the start of the iconic Italian marque’s electrified makeover.
“We will be launching the first BEV vehicle in 2024; a different vehicle – we will announce it later – and the first full-electric and electric-only vehicle [dedicated EV) in ’25, and by 2027 we will be globally selling electric-only vehicles,” he said.
“So the transition is starting … 2027 in the automotive world is tomorrow.”
Guzzafame went on to explain how electrification was a “natural step” both in terms of the industry and “customer service” as an EV war looms on the horizon.
“We want to use the technology to improve our performance and to make it relevant for our customers,” he said.
“So when we will be in electric war, we will be with something relevant… but this strategy for the brand is of course going in that direction.”
With strict new Euro7 emissions regulations inching closer, it should come as no surprise to learn Alfa Romeo has been developing and testing several battery-electric prototypes or “mules” in an effort to produce the best EV it can, in terms of not only overall polish but technology including range and charging.
Despite the lack of a waling internal combustion engine, Guzzafame stressed that Alfas of the future will be consistent with the brand’s sporty DNA and soulful reputation by being uncompromised in terms of dynamics.
Accompanying the EV influx will be an expansion and subsequent promotion of Alfa’s Quadrifoglio nameplate, which will transition from being just a variant name to a fully-fledged performance sub-brand in the ilk of BMW M, Mercedes-AMG and Audi Sport.
“Quadrifoglio will be for sure a sort of brand within the brand; an umbrella to all of our programs,” Guzzafame revealed.
“Of course then each program will be offered with a Quadrifoglio version or not, depending on the potential that we have on that specific segment and vehicle.”
The heritage-rich Italian brand – which currently sells only the Giulia sedan and Stelvio SUV in Australia – will be hoping its electrification strategy pays dividends in this fast-evolving EV space after Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares gave both it and Maserati 10 years to prove their worth.
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Keyword: Alfa Romeo locks in first EV for 2024